The Art of Plain Speaking: How to Write and Speak in a Way that Will Impress the People that Matter

Charlie Corbett is a famous outspoken journalist and writer, and an amusing speaker.

He spoke to us recently at the Levitt group about his latest book, which encompasses every aspect of his professional philosophy and personal curiosity – or is it the other way round?

I was particularly keen to hear him speak: apart from the thought of being amused by a man I admire for an hour, writing and speaking are two key elements in my armoury as a professional marketer. No matter how much I know, it’s not much use to anyone else when it is locked up inside my head. Also, part of my job is to turn my clients into better communicators, so the gentle art of persuasion is at the forefront of my interests!

Charlie C. (I hope he doesn’t mind me calling him that) stumbled through his presentation in a self-deprecating-Boris-Johnson type of way (I know he will resent the BoJo reference!). I suspect this was all part of a carefully choreographed performance that brought us ‘on his side’.

He was very keen on ‘fertilising’ the brain: he gave us four basic rules:

1. Read a lot.
2. Talk a lot.
3. Listen a lot.
4. Rest a lot.

Basically, you’ve got to have the raw material, inquisitiveness and clear thinking necessary before you can hope to impress anyone at all – let alone ‘the people that matter’!

He stressed the importance of writing to your audience and speaking as if to your best friend – even looking at a picture of them for this purpose; ie don’t do it in a vacuum.

He relishes the use of similes and metaphors – colourful language, in other words – ie turn your language into something people really want to listen to, and don’t be boring!

You’ll have to read his book for the rest of the tips – I shall certainly be using them myself and I fully expect myself to be voted as the next PM due to my winning way with words (never let a true fact get in the way of a good policy!).

So I look forward to using his methodology in all future communications, whether written or spoken.

You have been warned!

PS If you have several hours to spare – read his book. It will make you weep and laugh in equal measure https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Plain-Speaking-Impress-People/dp/0815367465